Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-04
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The first table provide information about the changes in the total population of New York city between 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables shows the changes in the population of Manhattan and other districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population of New York city rose significantly by the end of the period. Manhattan's population peaked in 1900 and dropped in 2000, While the percentage of total population was highest in 1800 and opposed in 2000. In other districts of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten island the population and percentage grew along the period.
From the first table, In New York city's population accounted significant and consistent growth of 79,216, 3,437,202 and 8,009,187 in 1800, 1900 and 2000 respectively. The population of Manhattan in 1800 was 60,515 with 76% of total population, in 1900, the population grew drastically about 1,850,093 with drop of 54% of total population. In contrast, by the end of the period the population and total population fell around 1,538,096 and 19%.
Conversely, in 1800, the population of other districts was 18,701 with 24% of total population, in the following decades, population and total percentage climbed with 1,587,109 and 49%. Similarly, the population rate and total population percentage peaked in 2000 with 6,471,089 and 81% respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main trends and provided data to support your points. You covered the total population growth and contrasted the decline in Manhattan's share with the growth in the other districts. However, the report lacks precision in data interpretation. For example, stating that Manhattan's population 'peaked in 1900 and dropped in 2000' is accurate, but your description of the total population growth is slightly confusing due to the phrasing 'accounted significant and consistent growth of 79,216, 3,437,202 and 8,009,187'. These figures represent the total population at those specific years, not the growth itself. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between total values and the rate of change.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', and 'Conversely' to signal shifts in the narrative. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'and opposed in 2000', which is unclear. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes mechanical. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would help the progression of ideas feel more natural and sophisticated.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main features of the tables, such as 'significantly', 'drastically', and 'accounted'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'accounted significant and consistent growth' is not standard usage; 'showed significant and consistent growth' would be more appropriate. Similarly, 'opposed in 2000' does not clearly convey the intended meaning regarding the percentage share. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic collocations and ensure that your vocabulary choices accurately reflect the data trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent, such as 'The first table provide' (should be 'provides') and 'The second and third tables shows' (should be 'show'). There are also issues with preposition usage and article omission, for example, 'in New York city's population' and 'in 1800, the population... was 60,515'. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the data, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focusing on proofreading for basic agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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